Joanne (Etter) Stamm, widow of the Rev. John Wesley Stamm, was born September 16, 1930, in Coatesville, PA, daughter of the late John E. and Grace (Miller) Etter. Joanne grew up in Chambersburg, graduating from Chambersburg High School with the class of 1948. She received a B.S. in Education from the former Shippensburg State Teachers College in 1952.
Having married the Rev. John Wesley Stamm on August 9, 1952, she lived with him in parishes in Orbisonia, Duncansville, Stewartstown, Clearfield, Lewisburg, and State College. She taught at various high schools in all of those places. In 1992, the Stamms retired to Chambersburg where she was active in the former Toy Mission, AARP #2840, the Tax Aide program, the Chambersburg Hospital Auxiliary, the Mall Walkers, and several United Methodist Churches. She was currently a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church.
In 2003, the Stamms moved to Penn Hall retirement center where Joanne continued to volunteer as a member of the cottage council, the residents’ representative to the Board of Directors, the Menno Haven Auxiliary, and as a coordinator of the Treasure Chest thrift shop. Rev. Stamm died October 8, 2007.
Mrs. Stamm is survived by three children: J. Richard Stamm (wife Deborah) of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; Rev. Dr. Mark Wesley Stamm (wife Margaret) of Richardson, TX; and Susan J. Stamm (wife Kari) of Holden, ME. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Matthew and Timothy of Texas, Brian (wife Kristin) and Allison Carbasi (husband Will) of the Philadelphia area, and Michael (wife Alexis) of Delray Beach, FL, as well as four great-grandchildren: Madeline, Ryder, Ella, and Chase. Also surviving her is her brother, Robert M. Etter., of Asheville, NC.
Graveside services will be private at the convenience of the family. A Celebration of Life will be held 10:00 AM, Friday, July 18, 2025 in St. Paul United Methodist Church, 750 Norland Ave., Chambersburg, PA 17201. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center.
Please visit geiselfuneralhome.com to share condolences and memories. Additionally, information and updates regarding services for Joanne will be posted there as they become available.
